Bromeliad plant named `GUZ 217`

ABSTRACT

A Guzmania hybrid having leaf variegation which is regular in placement. The variegation contributes to an appearance which is lighter and brighter than other variegated hybrids. The bract color remains for two to three months when the plant is maintained under indoor lighting conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plant inthe genus Guzmania within the Bromeziaceae family. This applicationrelates to a newly developed interspecific hybrid Guzmania plantresulting from a planned breeding program which I conduct on an ongoingbasis. The object of the breeding program includes the crossing ofselected parent plants from the numerous, compatible species within thegenus, to obtain plants with novel and attractive phenotypes,coloration, and flowering forms. Other important selection factors mayinclude ultimate plant size and shape, disease resistance, tolerance todifferent soil and growing conditions and vigor.

Included objects of my program are to produce plants which will beattractive to the consumer; which will develop reasonably rapidly undercontrolled conditions; and, retain for a long term, highly attractiveand bright inflorescence; i.e., bract coloration, after being inducedinto the flowering stage. It is a specific object to provide a lowmaintenance plant which will be a long term decorative appointmentoffering an exotic color splash in the home of a buyer, or to serve as asubstitute for flowering plants which have a shorter flowering durationin, for example, indoor plant and flower scapes. Finally, it is anobject to develop plants which may be easily and efficiently multipliedby division while continuing the distinctive characteristics of theplants through progressive clonal generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The plant of this disclosure was a variegated product of division of asport of the parent genus Guzmania `Grand Prix` (unpatented) which is ahybrid of the seed parent Guzmania minor `Red` (unpatented) and thepollen parent Guzmania wittmackii `Red/Orange Equador` (unpatented). Theplant was a naturally occurring, vegetative sport discovered as a singleplant growing in a cultivated planting of `Grand Prix`. With therecognition that this sport satisfied the objects of the breedingprogram, it was isolated and set aside for further observation andtesting. The resulting selection has been assigned the designation `GUZ217` for purposes of identification. This plant has been reproduced bydivision at Vista, Calif., and elsewhere, and the clonal specimensresulting have been determined to be identical to the original selectionin all distinguishing characteristics. The superior attributes of thisplant will be revealed in the botanical description to follow.

The plant `GUZ 217` has an overall height from the soil surface of about18" to 20" when finished to a stage of full bloom, and a spread of about30" to 32". The leaves are light green, smooth, evenly variegated withwhite variegations giving the plant an overall effect of being lighterand brighter when compared to other variegated hybrids known to me suchas Guzmania 214 `Amethyst`. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,476 which has leavesof a darker blue green with creamy white variegations. The leaves reacha length of about 183/4 inches. The width of the leaves is about 2inches as compared to the leaves of `Amethyst` which are about 1 inch inwidth.

Inflorescence is typical in character of Guzmania `Grand Prix`; floralbracts are translucent yellow color at base and terminus. The stainingis red-yellow elsewhere, as contrasted with Amethyst which is stainedred purple. The scape bracts are stained at base of inflorescence,becoming solid at the terminus of scape bracts covering the variegation.

The attractive bright red bract color has a high sheen and the bractcoloration is retained under subdued interior lighting conditions formore than two months.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEW OF THE DRAWING

The single color photograph of the drawing depicts a mature specimen ofthe plant in side perspective angle in mid to late flowering stage.Illustrated are the mature leaves and the spike. The relative sizes ofthe lower, splayed intermediate and terminal bracts can be seen by theangle of the illustration.

The color definitions in the specification have been taken from theR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society. While the colorsdepicted are believed to be of a high level of color fidelity, thecoloration of this plant should be understood to be approximate, andsomewhat variable as a function of cultural conditions and horticulturalpractices. For example, the bract color might slightly fade if the plantis cultured in bright light; the leaf color can be varied by thecomposition and concentration of fertilizer applied to specimens of theplant, and age of the specimens.

The time period from liner to market stage is approximately two years.The plant has a prolific propensity to develop side-shoots with thegeneral number of leaves and bracts being about 16 when produced foroptimum market stage.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Propagation:

Method of asexual reproduction.--Division.

Where reproduction took place.--Kent's Bromeliad Nursery, 1266 RidgeRoad, Vista, Calif. 92083.

Plant: Monocot Perennial. Medium in size.

Overall height from soil surface including inflorescence.--18" to 20".

Overall width.--30" to 32".

Vigorous in growth to anthesis relative to other variegated Guzmaniacultivars. Upright, spreading and dense. Vase formed. Tender Hardinessat temperatures below 32° F. This variety has resistance to plantdiseases comparable to other variegated Guzmania cultivars.

Leaves:

Length.--183/4".

Width.--2".

Medium in size. Linear and acutely pointed.

Coloration.--The background is 147A on the obverse, 147B on the reverse.The leaf is variegated longitudinally. The coloration of the variegationis 157D with irregular areas that are 57C in color. This 57C colorationappears as clear lines on younger leaves and as a diffuse stain on olderleaves. The irregular 57C coloration may appear at any location (i.e.from base to tip) of the leaf but is visible only in the variegatedportions of the leaf.

Medium thickness. Light to medium green color. Smooth.

Margin.--Smooth.

Scape bracts.--Lanceolate in shape terminating in a narrow acuminatetip, clasping 43/4"×11/2" decreasing to 3"×3/4" at terminus. Tips oflower scape bracts having a broad stripe, 147-A in color, at margin;Upper scape bract solid in color with no variegation; some bracts tipped45-A in color when further advanced in flowering process.

Coloration.--The bract base is 8D in color, intensifying in colorationto a darker yellow such as 8B moving towards the central portion of thebract. The central portion of the bract is a blend of 8B and 46C, bothappearing in clear-cut lines. Progressing towards the tip, the bractbecomes 46C in color -- with any portion of the last approximately 11/4"of the tip varying in coloration from 46C to resembling any permutationof the leaf coloration as recited above.

Floral bracts.--21/2"×3/8" at base. Translucent, colored 6-D at base46-D throughout. Inflorescence a branched spike.

Flowers: Cylindrical corolla, 8-D at anthesis Three sepals 2"×1/4"transparent at base, 39-B in mid-section and 39-D at the obtuse tipThree petals, obtuse scarely open at anthesis 2"×3/16", joined 13/4"from the base. Flower buds are 11/2"×5/16" cylindrical tapering to apoint (roughly lanceolate), 155D in color.

Fruit: A three celled capsule, splitting longitudinally when mature,with pappus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant asshown and described herein, characterized in leaves that are a mediumlight green with white variegation which is regular in placement, andred-orange staining which gives an overall appearance of the plant whichis lighter and brighter than other variegated hybrids.